It's a given...The moment you walk through the door, your cute little pooch runs to shower you with kisses. You both treasure those moments - and you especially so when your special friend's breath is fresh and clean. Not only is it wonderful to share the joy of being together, but it's also wonderful to know that your special friend's oral health is in check.


By practicing good oral hygiene habits, you can do a lot more than just keep your precious pooch's teeth clean and breath fresh - you can take steps to avoid other health issues from occurring. One of the biggest threats to a small dog's health is gum disease.

The big deal about small dog's teeth
Small dogs are especially susceptible to oral health issues for a number of physiological reasons. Their small mouth size and unique mouth shape plus their small teeth are often more compacted into their smaller mouths, thus they are more prone to oral health problems and related bad breath.

Also, since small dogs have different skull sizes, their jaw strength and biting force varies. The relative size of other parts of their mouth structure also affects their overall oral health. In addition to small dogs' physical differences, their longer lifespan (15 years on average), puts them at a greater risk of experiencing health conditions that are associated with advanced aging - including gum and dental disease.

How do oral diseases form?
A lot goes on in your little companion's mouth after a hearty meal or tasty treat. Soon after your dog finishes a meal, plaque begins to form when bits of food, saliva, mouth bacteria and protein bind together into a sticky film on the surface of your small dog's teeth.

Days later, tartar may develop when minerals in the saliva mix with the plaque to create a tough, yellow-brown layer, usually around the gums. It's easy to remove plaque from your little friend's teeth - simply use a toothbrush. But when tartar develops, it requires more aggressive means for removal: scraping it out with special dental instruments.

Plaque and tartar can wreak havoc in your little friend's mouth if they go unchecked. Bacteria thrive in this environment and can begin to aggravate your small dog's gums, causing swelling, bleeding and soreness. This is the first phase of periodontal disease, which is also known as gingivitis.

Other signs of gingivitis include bad breath, a change in temperament and a sudden resistance to having the mouth or head area touched. In extreme cases, your little one may even lose its appetite from the pain of chewing food.

Periodontitis is a direct result of gingivitis left unchecked and untreated. Symptoms in this phase 2 of periodontal disease include the breakdown of your small dog's gums, and the eventual pulling away of the gums from the teeth. Ultimately tooth loss will occur and your small dog can experience severe mouth pain. Unfortunately, this stage of periodontal disease can cause irreparable damage.

Many people are surprised to learn that gum disease is one of the biggest and most common threats to a small dog's health. Gum disease affects up to 80% of dogs by age three.

Regrettably, gum disease, if left untreated can cause more systemic problems, including infections which can challenge the immune system. At this point, bacteria can gain the upper hand and can enter the bloodstream to the organs where more serious diseases can form.

Oral care and hygiene is no laughing matter
So what can you do to protect your special friend's oral health? Brushing your small dog's teeth daily and getting a dental checkup with your veterinarian every six to twelve months are imperative to maintaining tooth and gum health. You can learn more about it in our Polish those pearly whites article.

When it comes to playtime, it is also important to consider your small dog's mouth size. Observe its chewing behaviour - is your little one aggressively biting down trying to crack its toys? Is it over-extending its jaw to bite it? Try looking for toys that will not be harmful or hurtful to its teeth and gums while it plays.

Finally, be good to your precious pooch's teeth! Feed your small dog food and treats designed specifically for it and with an oral care focus. It's a small but significant measure towards making sure your small dog looks and feels its best.

We all know small dogs can magnify their charm with clean teeth and fresh breath. But good oral hygiene does more than just enhance those sweet kissing moments! It can help reduce health issues throughout your small dog's life. Now that's something to smile about!

The information above is of a general nature, and may be used as a handy guide to help you monitor your pet's well being and development. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. All decisions regarding your pet are your responsibility.